Stranding Response Statistics

Stretcher Team 3Marine Mammal Conservancy’s  Natural Lagoon Rehabilitation Or Open Water Status Record Since 1987
(including participations with other stranding organizations)

1 Rehabilitated and Released: 45
2 Captive saved after intentional or accidental Release: 5
3 Saved and Released without Rehabilitation: 102
4 Died During Rehabilitation: 42
5 Died Before Rehabilitation Could Begin (The first 12 hours): 31
6 Ongoing Monitoring of injured marine mammals: 2
7 Response to marine mammals Dead on Arrival: 136
Total: 358
Percentage of Success: 67%

Note: The Percentage of success is based on the following formula:
Total number of marine mammals in items 1 through 3 (152) divided by the total number of marine mammals in items 1 through 5 (225) = 67%

Many organizations only count the number of marine mammals that were initially believed to be treatable but died.  The Marine Mammal Conservancy includes all marine mammals that come to us regardless of their medical status.

Other Statistics:
Assists with other strandings but not involved in Rehabilitation: 6
Assist with Manatees (No known deaths): 6
Assist with Sea Turtles: 3
Shark Releases: (10 Nurse Sharks, 2 Lemon Sharks): 12
Total Marine Animal Response: 150

Evaluation Criteria
Of the above releases, the Marine Mammal Conservancy is the only known organization to successfully release a pilot whale which has overcome the deadly morbilli virus so that her genes could be passed on to a new generation. The joint MMRF/MMC team along with advice from Dr. Charles Manire, DVM of Mote Marine Labs is also the only known organization to successfully stabilize a Dwarf Sperm Whale for attempted treatment. Though this Dwarf Sperm Whale only lived for eleven (11) days, no other organization has been able to keep this species alive for more than 36 hours, much less been able to stabilize one. The Dwarf Sperm Whale had a heart condition known as cardio myopathy (weakening of the heart muscle) and no known cure was possible. When taking the true number of animals in to rehabilitation, MMC has one of the best records of care in the United States for cetaceans.

The construction of a dedicated natural water facility will allow MMC to further the science of low stress natural environment medical treatment, rehabilitation and the furtherance of release protocols.